HOME SWEET HOME

When I say “home sweet home” I don’t mean my home but my “Daddy’s hometown” and that is Charleston, SC. The Imperials and I are just getting back to our homes from performing at the Coastal Carolina Fair. We re-routed our original travel schedules so we could attend and perform at the Carolina Beach Music Awards. So the next day, Sunday, we flew to Myrtle Beach, SC so we could attend the awards event. 

At one point, Little Anthony & The Imperials were presented with “Joe Pope Pioneer Award” before a 2200 sold-out black-tie audience at the Alabama Theater. The Imperials and I were honored to receive such a prestigious award and the past recipients place Little Anthony & The Imperials in the company of Ray Charles, The Temptations, The Platters, The Tams, Archie Bell & The Drells and many others. 

Little Anthony & The Imperials are truly blessed and particularly this year, our 50th anniversary. The CBMA and our nomination to be inducted into the RNR HOF, we’ve waited for “our day to come our entire career”. We received a “standing ovation” after we did a couple of our hits. It doesn’t get better than that, I don’t think – well, it could get better, I guess. We’ll see when we head back to SC in 2009 in concert. How about House Of Blues in Myrtle Beach? Now, that show would be a night of SC Beach music to remember.

WE ARE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY

Since I mentioned blessings, I had time to spend with my relatives still living in the Charleston area. I think at one point there were 22 of us to be precise. I was able to spend time with my granddaughter, Taylor, her Mom and her husband. She was formerly married to my older son, Andre. Soon after they divorced, Taylor and her Mom moved to Wilmington, NC. It was great seeing them and such a treat for me to “reconnect”.

“Grandparents sometimes wind up missing their grandkids because of distance when their kids divorce. The grandkids have moved to start a new life and you miss them.” I try to make it a point to seek out family, extended or not. The “reconnect” – thanks Dr. Phil - becomes, then “a blessing within a blessing”. 

Try it and see if it works for you – even for a brief time. It is quality family time and that is what really counts – once again, thanks Dr. Phil – try “reconnecting”. 

AROUND THE TOWN

Vegas has become my home and the friends we have in Vegas make our home a place we love to return to. There is a lawyer in town, Keith Galliher, Jr. who has befriended us and represents our label, Imperials Plus which released our “You’ll Never Know” CD. Aside from being an astute lawyer, Keith is good counsel. People like Keith, well, they are “go to people” who you can (trust and) count on again and again. 

I also have to give a “shout out” to all my brothers and sisters and Pastor David Shearin - Word Of Life Church. I had a distressing call concerning a dear friend of mine, Johnny Carter – first tenor of The Mighty Dells. My church was so supportive and helpful when I heard of his condition. When you hear about someone having developed cancer, particularly throat cancer, your heart drops and you know, kind of, what they are in for. The Imperials and I are praying for his quick and successful recovery. I’m not sure what Chicago hospital he’s at but I’ll find out. Get well soon my friend. 

The guy that has been doing all our public relations including the 50th anniversary campaign is George Dassinger. He was telling me about another client of his Little River Band and their lead singer, Wayne Nelson. Wayne now lives in Vegas, too after living in Nashville for years. Well, Little River Band has just released a Christmas CD called “We Call It Christmas”. Little Anthony & The Imperials have always wanted to do a Christmas record. We participated in a couple with a track but not one of our own.

George told me it took LRB 34 years to do a Christmas record and since we’re at 50, there is still a chance for a Little Anthony & The Imperials Christmas CD. Maybe 2009 – sounds right. I have to call George and get a copy of “We Call It Christmas”. 

Want to get out of town, join us at the Tropicana Hotel in Laughlin, NV on the 28th-29th for what we call, “the Little Anthony & The Imperials Thanksgiving show”. 

CHIPS OFF THE OLD BLOCK

The interview we did with Jeff Greenfield for CBS Sunday Morning is supposed to air in December. As we strolled around the projects in Ft. Greene Brooklyn, we headed to the street complex Clarence and I were raised in. It was weird going back and in other ways, it made me realize Vegas is now my home along with Brooklyn. In lots of ways, the Ft. Greene hood did change but the old pizza place and corner candy store near the park hasn’t changed a bit. I’ll let you know about the CBS air date when it is confirmed. 

My other granddaughter, Briana Gourdine has been acting and singing. I guess in runs in the family, you know? She is auditioning for the part of a young Lena Horne. I believe the play is called “Stormy” and I hope she gets it! She’s managed by D.C. Management and Diverse Talent and with pro clout like that you know you’re off to a good start.

94 EAST - THANK YOU

I received a thank you from Pepe Willie and he said there would not be a Prince without Little Anthony & The Imperials. “I learned the music business from you guys and became a student of the game,” Pepe wrote. In fact, Pepe met Prince’s cousin at one of our shows – she introduced Pepe to Prince. Then Pepe went on to teach Prince what he I learned from us. Pepe has always told me, “Anthony, you and my uncle Clarence are my mentors”.  

Pepe told me recently went to see The Time and their reunion show here in Minneapolis. “They always had that chemistry and it still continues. These guys love one another and their history is a bonding thing for them. They weren’t a former image of themselves – just the real deal”. 

“When I went to the show, one of the guys, maybe it was Jimmy Jam or Terry Lewis said, ‘man Prince must love you since he hasn’t sued you’. I guess there is some truth to that.  

I’m indebted to you both. You and my uncle Clarence made this all happen for me and I want to thank you for everything. You taught me a lot and when I went to Minneapolis after moving away from Brooklyn, I was able to coach all that teen talent namely Prince, Andre Cymone, Morris Day, etc. The legacy of 94 East began there and continues to this day. 

And thanks for writing an item on 94 East, me and our LP – you are the man! See ya soon.”